FOREST PRESERVATION

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 31, 5 August 1933, Page 12

FOREST PRESERVATION

MEETING OF LEAGUE

INQUIRY URGED

At the annual meeting of the New Zealand Forestry League last evening attention was drawn to the increasing destruction of the native bush by red deer. . Mr. J. Deans, the retiring president, said that thai- and chamois were increasing in the Southern Alps in an alarming way; they were hard to got at in the high country, and would soon become a greater menace than red deer, which attacked the lower parts of tho forests, and could thus bo more easily dealt with. Mr. E. Phillips Turner said the question was a most important one. If the danger was allowed to continue, an immense amount of money would be required eventually to deal with it. The damage done would mean not only the destruction of the forest, but would also result in erosion and more floods. He suggested the setting up'1 of a commission to inquire into- the menace. The following motion, moved by Mr. A. Leigh Hunt, and seconded by Mr. W. H. Denton,'was carried:—"That in view of the vital importance of the preservation of the Dominion's forests, particularly on the highlands, to prevent floods and erosion of tho wealth-producing lands of the plains, and having regard to the difference of opinion that exists in connection with the destruction of those forests by- plant-eating animals, tho Government be urged to set up a Royal Commission of, say, three men versed in forest matters, to report oh this extremely urgent issue." CHILDREN'S COMPETITION. Specimens of foliage, fruit, and flowers of New Zealand indigenous trees and shrubs, mounted on * paper, with botanical, Maori, and . English names, were exhibited. These collections were the work of children in the competition for awards offered by the league. Mr. E. Phillips Turner, ex-Director of Forestry, said ho had never seen such a large number qf entries of equal standard. It was of value to . botany that the interest of children should be encouraged in this way. The result of the judging was as follows: — Under 12 years: Elwyn Welch, Mount Bruce, Mastcrton, 1; Lindsay MacLeod, Okoia, Wanganui, 2; Esther Belliss, Tinui, 3. Highly commended: Thclma Bwislcy, Owhiwa School; lan Roberts, Shannon. Over 12 and under 16 years: Dulcie Bartell, Hikitahi, 1; Ruth McGaffin, 2; Ivy Beasley and Phillis Bcasley, Owhiwa School, 3, equal. Highly commended: Ewcn Belliss, Tinui; Nocllp Beckett, Rangiwahia; Edwin Hatch, Titirangi. It was announced that two prizes, to tho value of £3, had been donated by Mr. Phillips Turner for an essay competition for secondary schools throughout tho country. The subject of the essay is to bo "The Value of Forests to Now Zealand." Tho election of-officers resulted as follows: —President, Mr. E. Phillips Turner (Hamilton); council, Messrs. A. Seed, W. D. Morison, A. Leigh Hunt, W. H. Denton, F. S. Pope (Wellington), S. Duncan (Taiva Flat), and A. C. Atkinson (York Bay).